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March 08, 2005

Lost in the Jungle - Introduction

Considering the size and quantity of hairy spiders that live there, youīd probably think that 6 days of walking and sleeping in the jungle would be the last thing on my agenda. On the contrary, this particular trip has been a dream of mine for years. It was a great opportunity to confront my fear of the "8 legged freaks", and at the same time explore some gorgeous nature and remote Maya ruins. This is not to say that I wasnīt nervous about it though...

With Flores as a base, Silje and I set about to arrange our trek to El Mirador, a true "lost city" deep in the Peten jungle near the Mexican border. In my previous research, the trek seemed like quite an undertaking to organize, always discussed in terms of "only for the adventurous" and the like. Of course, the reality was much different... It seems like El Mirador is gaining in popularity, and the local community has certainly caught on to the trend. Within a couple of days we found three more travelers to join us, and had all the boring details (food, gear, guides etc) taken care of by a local agency. We would spend 6 days trekking, taking in the sites of El Tintal, El Mirador, Nakbé and La Florida.

Introducing our group:

The trekkers:

Fabio, 33, a free spirit from Italy
Defining feature: dreadlocks & Castro-esque beard
Mottoo: "I wanta to fucka society"
Dislikes: eating meat (or anything else that has eyes)
Likes: getting high

Sara and Rob, 22, a student couple from England
Sara has just spent 3 months studying Spanish in Guatemala, Rob has spent 2.
Defining features: always enthusiastic & energetic, always hungry (Rob)
Golden Rules: "even if you donīt know how to say it, say it anyway" and "silence is SO not golden"
Nickname given by our guides: The Parrots
Robīs mottoo: "I reckon I could go without food for days" (yeah right, haha)
Saraīs favourite expression: "Thatīs amazing!"

Silje and Kathrine, still on the right side of 30, two lovely girls from Norway
Mottoo: "Better safe (from malaria and lyme disease) than sorry"
Dislikes: Spiders
Likes: Fresh pineapple served whilst relaxing in their hammocks. Mosquito nets (i.e. protection from spiders)
Greatest assets: A huge packet of baby wipes and two large shopping bags of snacks


The crew:
Umberto, 30, a former chiclero-turned-guide from Carmelita
Hopes and Dreams: Work in the USA for a while, then return to Carmelita, get married, have kids & start his own trekking agency in Flores
Advantages: Has an aunt in LA who is willing to help. Knows the jungle like the back of his hand.
Disadvantages: canīt read or write
Likes: getting up at 4am
Dislikes: going without coffee and cigarettes

Geronimo, 49, chiclero and arriero (horseman), has lived in the Peten for 35 years and can tell the time by the position of the stars, moon and sun.
Hopes and dreams: to marry Umbertoīs aunt, a lovely lady from Carmelita who cooked for us before and after the trek. We all approve.
Advantages: heīs a real sweetheart
Disadvantages: he is probably too shy to make a move
Likes: the jungle, stargazing, his daughters
Dislikes: Ticks, and horses that disappear two days in a row
Mottoo: "even if I canīt read or write, I always take care to speak properly"

The horse with a name: Gringa
The horses with no name, who were promptly given names by Silje and I: Estrellito, Morenito, and Blanquito

The hen sacrificed at El Mirador: Gallinita

Posted by kvabo on March 8, 2005 06:15 PM
Category: Guatemala
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